In the first instance, United would’ve looked upon this game as an opportunity to extract a modicum of revenge for the Europa League final. But defeat in Bern has turned what looked like a friendly group into a difficult one: Young Boys now have a foothold, while Villarreal and Atalanta are no kinds of mug whatsoever. With each team playing five times, nothing will be settled tonight, but a win for United and they take back control; fail so to do and they’ve got a problem.
Champions League / Group Stage
Old Trafford / 29.09.2021
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/match/football-header-bg-mobile.jpg)
/images.sports.gracenote.com/images/lib/basic/sport/football/club/logo/300/4080.png){kind=logo}
/images.sports.gracenote.com/images/lib/basic/sport/football/club/logo/300/4139.png){kind=logo}
- A. Telles(60')
- Cristiano Ronaldo(90+5')
- P. Alcácer(53')
Live
Live Updates
:focal(136x152:138x150)/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2015/11/13/1731704-36632322-310-310.png)
Updated 29/09/2021 at 20:59 GMT
- All
- Highlights
21:59
Anyhow, thanks for your company - night night.
21:58
It's also worth noting that Solskjaer nailed his changes tonight - Lingard's enterprise was a huge factor in the winning goal and Fred found a good enough cross when he needed one.
21:56
That's a monstrous win for United and Solskjaer. When you have Ronaldo you have a chance in any game, but De Gea's keeping earned that for United in the first half. They didn't play well at all tonight, but kept at it and should be better for the experience.
21:56
Full-time: Manchester United 2-1 Villarreal
90+6'
hat's harsh on Villarreal, sort of - they've had chances and missed the, so ultimately deserve what they've got.
90+5'
GOAL! Manchester United 2-1 Villarreal (Ronaldo) That was not coming, that was inevitable! Cavani does brilliantly to regain possession, Fred hammers a cross to the back post and Ronaldo knocks down brilliantly for Lingard, who gets himself in front of the keeper and pokes back a brilliant return pass that Ronaldo hammers brilliantly into the top corner, with the aide of a deflection! He is good at football.
90+4'
United look to pin Villarreal back but Cavani is too eager and gives away a free-kick.
90+2'
Ronaldo appears on the right and picks a fine cross to the near post, where Lingard extends a leg ... only to poke wide! That was a good effort rather than a bad miss.
90+2'
Here come United down the right with Lingard, who crosses ... but Ronaldo's first touch is poor. Cavani, chasing the ball too, goes down and wants a penalty ... but nothing doing.
90+1'
Fernandes floats towards the box and McTominay arrives onto the clearance, controlling a volley that's technically superb, but doesn't have the power to trouble Rulli.
90+1'
Pena is booked - for a foul I did not see.
90'
There'll be five added minutes.
90'
United have been really poor tonight, again. Solskjaer needs to pick an XI and stick to it, but the problem is that none he picks encourage him to do so again.
89'
United send on Fred and Lingard for Telles and Greenwood.
88'
Villarreal are coming, Foyth picking up the corner and leathering a shot that McTomnay blocks.
86'
OH MY DAYS! Villarreal go down the left with Gomes - no one bothers to stop him - so opens his body and punches a shot goalwards! De Gea shoves out but Dia must score ... no! De Gea saves again, Varane and Telles slide past the ball, but Telles still makes the block when Dia shoots, and the ball skips behind.
85'
Gomez crosses and Telles does well to get the ball away; Villarreal are trying to win this.
83'
I've just learned that Rulli, the Villarreal keeper, has the first name Geronimo. That's tremendous.
81'
Villarreal probe then United counter, Cavani picking the pocket of Mandi on the by-line ... but he can't quite find Bruno.
79'
It's been quiet for a few minutes but then Fernandes stabs out to Greenwood down the right, and delivers a luuuuuush cross for Cavani at the far post. But he can't attack it until he sees was Mandi does, nodding just wide of the far post on the run.